NCJ Number
83539
Date Published
1981
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The origin and development of the Netherlands' Dr. Henri van der Hoeven Kliniek, a forensic psychiatric hospital that treats involuntary admissions, are discussed, along with types of patients, treatment concept, and the course and means of treatment.
Abstract
Involuntary admission to the clinic occurs under various judicial provisions, with the aim of helping patients to develop behavior patterns that will permit them to live in the community responsibly. Within 5 or 6 weeks of a patient's admission to the clinic, a staff meeting, attended by the patient and a patient-friend selected by the patient, is held in which the patient and staff have a general discussion about the patient's problems and possibilities for treatment. A treatment plan is drawn up in a subsequent discussion with the patient. The patient is expected to keep records on the course of treatment. At least once a month the patient evaluates the treatment program in a patient group. Interaction with outside society is related to the patient's progress in ability to interact responsibly with other persons. The clinic's building is designed to facilitate security and treatment. The living-group, the small group of patients and staff with which a patient lives each day, is central to treatment. Together with psychotherapy, occupation training was the principal means of treatment when the clinic started. While occupational training options have expanded, programs of education, exercise, self-expression, recreation, spiritual care, medical service, and community activities have also expanded. Followup of former patients, the results of which will be published around 1981-82, should indicate the effectiveness of the program. Ten references are listed.